Casting Director Asya Korshun

- My full name is Anastasiia, but people only call me that when they’ve just met me. I always introduce myself as Asya, since that’s what everyone has called me since childhood, so feel free to call me Asya too.

- I graduated with an acting degree from Karpenko-Kary University. I always dreamed of working in theatre. A group of us — four girls — used to travel around Ukraine to see different theatres, trying to choose where we’d want to work. We visited festivals and I picked a few favorites. I was born in Kyiv, and my parents used to tell me I didn’t need to go through the same struggles my classmates from other cities did. Our teachers taught us that theatre is the highest form, and that we needed to do internships and work in a theatre, even in the provinces. I never looked down on provincial theatres — I was from Kyiv and still wanted to work in one. I especially liked the theatre in Ivano-Frankivsk. I remember being deeply moved by a production of Chekhov’s The Seagull directed by A. Korshunov. In the first act I laughed, and in the second I cried. I hadn’t seen that kind of level even in Kyiv. My friend and I also went to see theatre in Europe — I really liked the theatre in Berlin. The actors worked so differently than here in Ukraine. That was the standard I wanted to reach. I had three dream theatres: Tsepilsky’s theatre in Ivano-Frankivsk, Stas Zhyrkov’s theatre, and the Molodyi Theatre.When I went to audition in Ivano-Frankivsk, I wasn’t scared by the fact that I had no place to live, no friends, no connections, and very little money. I just really wanted to work there. But I didn’t get the job, and at the same time I got an offer to work at the “Ukraina” TV channel. That was my first experience working in serial TV production. After a year I felt like I needed to grow, and through recommendations, I got a job at 1+1, where I worked for about a year and a half. I started there as a casting manager, and soon enough they trusted me with full projects as a casting director

- It was an 8-episode melodrama called Give Me Happiness, directed by Zhenya Baranov. That’s where it all began. I was fully responsible for the casting department on that one. It was quite a challenge, since we had Russian actors involved, and I had to handle the negotiations. After that project, I started getting offers — projects found me. That’s always a good sign. Then I left 1+1 and started freelancing by recommendation. The “cherry on top” was when I got the offer to handle casting for the feature film Crazy Wedding 3.

- I started in 2016. I spent two years gaining experience as a casting manager, and have now been working as a casting director for three years.

- Every casting director has their own mental database. You remember who you’ve worked with, who you trust, who’s reliable. So yes, all the actors I’ve worked with are in my head. I don’t keep lists or spreadsheets. I do keep photos in folders, though. And I have actors — mostly male — who I bring into almost every project.

- The most active place for searching is Facebook. If you think those “+” comments under casting posts don’t work — trust me, they do. Especially when time is short and you need a specific type. It’s effective, though I don’t really like working that way. I believe a casting director’s job is to think through the characters and find the best possible fit.

- Five good quality photos are enough: close-up, mid-shot, and full-body. There’s not always time to watch showreels or video resumes, so I mostly rely on selftapes. If I like someone’s look, I offer them a role and ask for a tape — that’s how I get to know them. I think self-tapes are an excellent way to quickly get a feel for an actor.

- We’re all human, and anyone can make mistakes. Filmmaking is a team effort, where the goal isn’t to point fingers but to help solve problems. There are always tough moments, which is why it’s important to be part of a supportive team. In the beginning, I had a lot of fears, especially around organization — like mixing up dates or forgetting to notify someone. But with time and experience, that all fades. When you manage your time and workload properly, fear disappears. I don’t like being criticized, because I always take my work very seriously. Every project can have its challenges, but I always see things through to the end and never quit because of personal misunderstandings. Everything should be brought to its logical conclusion.

– Yes, I do. These days people mostly see me as a casting director, and less as an actress. But I never act in the projects where I’m the casting director — that’s a personal principle. I don’t think it’s fair; I’d rather be invited by someone else. I graduated from an acting program, so of course I want to act. But sometimes, when a project is especially demanding, there just isn’t enough time to be on set as an actress.

– I don’t have one specific dream project. Any project could be a dream one if it includes my favorite actors. Right now, there are a lot of adapted scripts — I’d love to work on something new and risky, to hold castings in different cities, discover new talent, new people, new actors.

– I met a woman who started a film school — not in Kyiv, but first in Mykolaiv, then in Kherson, and now they’re opening one in Odesa. There are so many kids there whose biggest dream is to be in a film. When you live in the capital, it’s much easier. But for those from smaller towns or regions, the world of cinema can feel out of reach — you never know if you’ll get in. I always try to offer kids from those schools good opportunities when I can. That’s where I discovered a wonderful sixyear-old girl, Kira Sayapina, who landed the main child role in Crazy Wedding. She had to cry and speak Armenian on camera. Kira handled it beautifully. There are many talented kids like her. The most important thing is to remember that after twenty “no’s,” there will always be a “yes.” We also record video intros for the kids — they’re happy, and so are we, because nothing is more important than making children’s dreams come true. I see that as my mission.

– I really liked three careers: I wanted to be a diplomat, I was into swimming and wanted to be the next Yana Klochkova, and of course, I wanted to be an actress. I remember asking my dad, “Is it possible to do all three?”.

– Most people find me kind and sweet, but I can also be a bit prickly sometimes — though I wouldn’t compare myself to a cactus. Maybe I’m more like wine — getting better and better with age.

– I love traveling. When I was a student, I worked part-time as a waitress and always saved up for a trip. I traveled somewhere every year — Italy, Spain, Barcelona, Nice, Cannes, Monaco. There are still countries I haven’t visited, but I really want to go to Amsterdam. My favorite country, the one I’d love to return to, is Italy. I’ve been to Rome, Milan, Verona, Venice — but I’d love to see the whole country. It’s so comfortable there, and the people are warm and welcoming. Besides traveling, I really enjoy cooking, especially desserts: Kyiv cake, different cheesecakes, eclairs, and so on. Cooking helps me relieve stress. I don’t even have to eat what I make — I just enjoy the process and seeing the result.

– First, I’d wish to never meet two-faced people on my life path, because I always try to be sincere, honest, and open — and I want the same in return. Second, I’d wish for all work to be fairly valued. Third, I’d wish to achieve the goals I’ve set for myself.

– We have so many talented actors of all ages. I really hope that actors, regardless of fees or how often they work, always remain good people. The most important thing is to stay human and approach everything with understanding. If it’s your first major role, you should be incredibly grateful to the entire team. After all, casting directors have discovered many new actors. And I wonder — do those actors feel thankful to the people who noticed them, invited them to auditions, gave them a chance?

I’m always grateful to the people who believed in me: Sasha Pelypenko, who gave me my first job; Masha Pekalova, who recommended me for 1+1; Sofia Shkobar, who trusted me with my first project there; Ksyusha Morchai, who always recommends me, knowing how seriously I take my work. I’m endlessly grateful to them. If not for them, I don’t know what my fate in this industry would have been or who I would be today. I’m also incredibly thankful to all the actors who are responsible, who understand the process, who are cooperative — they’re in my heart. Always believe that if you truly want something — it will happen. For example, there’s an amazing actress, Nastya Demyanenko. I remember her from when she was taking on roles for almost symbolic pay. I don’t think she ever turned down a part — all the casting directors know her because she’s been everywhere. In just two years, through hard work, she’s reached incredible heights and grown tremendously as a professional. Now she’s getting big roles, has an agent, and has proven to everyone that anything is possible — if you truly want it. There’s no limit to growth. The key is to stay a good person and be grateful to everyone you meet on your path.